Mission & Formation

Student Formation

Campus Ministry programs help students deepen their faith in God. The retreat program provides students with opportunities to participate in reflective experiences in communal settings to gain deeper insights into self-knowledge, sensitivity to others, and a faith in God. Each retreat is designed to provide time for students to share their insights, personal beliefs and attitudes in a Christian context.

Bellarmine students can find many opportunities to participate in Campus Ministry-sponsored retreats. Although registration is required for many of the retreats, it is not required for the sophomore and freshman retreats. Below are links to regristration forms for the retreats. If you are interested in registering for any of them, please print out the registration form, complete it, and turn it in to the Campus Ministry Office. If you have questions, please stop by the Campus Ministry Office or see the Campus Ministry staff member who can answer any questions you may have.

Freshmen formation takes place in conjunction with Bellarmine's Community Period through the Link Crew program. Beginning with orientation in August, Freshmen will meet regularly with their Link Crew leaders to build community and camaraderie amongst the members of their class. The Freshman year will culminate with a retreat at the end of May celebrating this community as a part of Bellarmine’s Jesuit tradition.

Sophomore Formation

Sophomore formation takes place in Community Period and includes work with the Tacoma L'Arche Community. Sophomores may also attend an optional overnight retreat in the spring, the Sophomore Service Plunge. This retreat asks students to grapple with the hunger and poverty that exists here in Tacoma and in our world.

The Sophomore Boys and Girls retreats are optional overnight retreats. The cost for the retreat will be $20. Students must apply for the retreat and will be selected on a first come-first serve basis. Applications are due Friday, September 15.

During the Sophomore Boys Retreat, the young men of Bellarmine will be given the chance to build community and discuss what it means to be a young man of character at our school and in the world. Apply here

The Sophomore Girls Retreat retreat is a chance for the young women of the sophomore class to come together and discuss issues surrounding female identity, friendships and self-worth. Apply here

Junior Retreats

Junior retreats, the Men's Junior Encounter and the Women's Junior Encounter, are voluntary. They are three-day, overnight retreats on weekends away from campus and are designed to build community, strengthen self and deepen one's faith in God. The Encounters are offered six times throughout the school year. Encounter is free of charge.

Senior retreats include four options: (1) The Senior Pilgrimage, which takes place in September, is a weekend hike and camp away from campus focusing on community, faith, and discipleship. (Click here a list of what to bring.) (2) The Montserrat is a 24-hour, Ignatian-directed, silent retreat. (3) The Manresa is a two-night, Ignatian-directed, silent retreat. (4) The Magis, a three-day overnight that takes place in March, is modeled on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. It is designed to invite seniors into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Individual Spiritual Direction

Spiritual direction is available upon request from members of the Campus Ministry staff to support and encourage students in their spiritual life. Within this direction, they may choose to make a version of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Contact the Campus Ministry office to find out who works with students to provide individual spiritual direction.